Mayor Davis says department budget requests could imply higher taxes; residents urge caution over sewer and property costs
Loading...
Summary
County Mayor Davis told commissioners department requests totaling about $7–8 million could equate to roughly a 15% property tax increase and additional fire tax; residents at the meeting objected to reported tax hikes and rising sewer bills, and the mayor said those requests are not a final proposal.
Mayor Davis told the Bradley County Commission that departments have submitted budget requests totaling about $7 million to $8 million and described that aggregate amount as “about a 15% tax increase,” plus “another 3 or 4¢ of fire tax.” He said no formal direction has been given and that he will prepare a balanced budget using existing and projected revenue while seeking a salary increase “for everyone, not just a few.”
Resident Tim Smith told the commission he could not afford another tax increase after a recent reassessment and urged officials to reject a reported 12% property tax increase. “We can't afford it,” Smith said, noting rising costs across the board and that many residents are on fixed incomes.
Mayor Davis responded directly to public concerns, saying the newspaper figure was not his budget proposal. “Just understand that was not a budget proposal,” he said. “I was explaining to the commission the budget requests that have come in… It is not a budget proposal. I was merely explaining the budget requests.”
John Hamilton, another Royal Oaks resident, echoed worries about rising taxes and questioned how new school proposals would be funded amid growth. A member of the commission noted that Bradley County’s property taxes rank low among Tennessee counties (about 92 of 95) and said past mayors have generally presented balanced budgets.
Commissioners also raised constituent complaints about utility bills. One commissioner reported that a recent sewer bill rose from about $36 to about $102, saying the increase will “hurt” many residents on fixed incomes and expecting more complaint calls. Another commissioner suggested inviting Ocoee Utilities’ board to explain rate changes.
The commission did not take formal action on the budget at the meeting. The clerk announced the next voting session is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the courthouse, where budget items could be considered further.
